Semiconductor memory having volatile and multi-bit non-volatile functionality and method of operating

ABSTRACT

A semiconductor memory cell, semiconductor memory devices comprising a plurality of the semiconductor memory cells, and methods of using the semiconductor memory cell and devices are described. A semiconductor memory cell includes a substrate having a first conductivity type; a first region embedded in the substrate at a first location of the substrate and having a second conductivity type; a second region embedded in the substrate at a second location of the substrate and have the second conductivity type, such that at least a portion of the substrate having the first conductivity type is located between the first and second locations and functions as a floating body to store data in volatile memory; a trapping layer positioned in between the first and second locations and above a surface of the substrate; the trapping layer comprising first and second storage locations being configured to store data as nonvolatile memory independently of one another; and a control gate positioned above the trapping layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a division of co-pending application Ser. No.14/549,322, filed on Nov. 20, 2014, which is a division of applicationSer. No. 13,196,471, filed Aug. 2, 2011, non U.S. Pat. No. 8,923,052which issued on Dec. 30, 2014, which is a continuation of applicationSer. No. 12/420,659 filed on Apr. 8, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,014,200,which issued on Sep. 6, 2011 and which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/043,131, filed Apr. 8,2008, all of whichapplications and patents are hereby incorporated herein, in theirentireties, by reference thereto, and to which applications we claimpriority under 35 U.S.C. Sections 119 and 120.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present inventions relates to semiconductor memory technology. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to semiconductor memoryhaving both volatile and non-volatile semiconductor memory features.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Semiconductor memory devices are used extensively to store data. Memorydevices can be characterized according to two general types: volatileand non-volatile. Volatile memory devices such as static random accessmemory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM) lose data that isstored therein when power is not continuously supplied thereto.

Non-volatile memory devices, such as flash erasable programmable readonly memory (Flash EPROM) devices, retain stored data even in theabsence of power supplied thereto. Unfortunately, non-volatile memorydevices typically operate more slowly than volatile memory devices.Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a universal type memorydevice that includes the advantages of both volatile and non-volatilememory devices, i.e., fast operation on par with volatile memories,while having the ability to retain stored data when power isdiscontinued to the memory device. It would further be desirable toprovide such a universal type memory device having a size that is notprohibitively larger than comparable volatile or non-volatile devicesand which has comparable storage capacity to the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides semiconductor memory having both volatileand non-volatile modes and methods of operation of the same.

In at least one embodiment, a semiconductor memory cell according to thepresent invention includes: a substrate having a first conductivitytype; a first region embedded in the substrate at a first location ofthe substrate and having a second conductivity type; a second regionembedded in the substrate at a second location of the substrate and havethe second conductivity type, such that at least a portion of thesubstrate having the first conductivity type is located between thefirst and second locations and functions as a floating body to storedata in volatile memory; a trapping layer positioned in between thefirst and second locations and above a surface of the substrate; thetrapping layer comprising first and second storage locations beingconfigured to store data as nonvolatile memory independently of oneanother; and a control gate positioned above the trapping layer.

in at least one embodiment, the first and second storage locations areeach configured to receive transfer of data stored by the volatilememory and store the data as nonvolatile memory in the trapping layer.

In at least one embodiment, only one of the first and second storagelocations is configured to receive transfer of data stored by thevolatile memory upon interruption of power to the memory cell.

In at least one embodiment, the surface of the substrate comprises a topsurface, the cell further comprising a buried layer at a bottom portionof the substrate, the buried layer having the second conductivity type.

In at least one embodiment, the floating body is completely bounded bythe top surface, the first and second regions and the buried layer.

In at least one embodiment, the first conductivity type is “p” type andthe second conductivity type is “n” type.

In at least one embodiment, insulating layers bound the side surfaces ofthe substrate.

In at least one embodiment, the cell is configured for use asnon-volatile memory with fast read/write speed, and the volatile memoryis used as a write buffer.

In at least one embodiment, the cell is configured so that one of thefirst and second storage locations interacts with the floating body sothat the memory cell provides both volatile and non-volatile memoryfunctionality, and the other of the first and second storage locationsis configured to store non-volatile data that is not used as volatilememory by the floating body.

In at least one embodiment, the cell functions as a multi-level cell.

In at least one embodiment, at least one of the first and second storagelocations is configured so that more than one bit of data can be storedin the at least one of the first and second storage locations,respectively.

A method of operating a memory cell device having a plurality of memorycells each having a floating body for storing, reading and writing dataas volatile memory, and a trapping layer having first and second storagelocations for storing data as non-volatile memory is provided, whereinthe method includes: writing data to the floating body of a memory cellof the device; writing additional data to the floating body of anothermemory cell of the device, while at the same time commencing writingdata from the floating body of the previous memory cell to non-volatilestorage of that cell; and continuing to write additional data to thefloating bodies of more memory cells of the device, as volatile memory,while at the same time, writing volatile memory from cells in which datahas already been written to the floating bodies thereof, to non-volatilememory in a mass parallel, non-algorithmic process.

In at least one embodiment, the cells are arranged in rows and columns,and wherein, after a segment of the memory array (for example, an entirerow of cells) have stored a bit of volatile data, each in the floatingbody of each cell, respectively, and after the volatile data has beenwritten to the nonvolatile storage by storing in one of two storagelocations provided in a trapping layer of each the cell, respectively,the method further comprising repeating the steps of the methoddescribed in the preceding paragraph, but wherein the writing of datafrom the floating bodies to the non-volatile memory comprises storingthe data in the second location of the trapping layer of the cell,respectively for the plurality of cells.

A method of operating a memory cell having a floating body for storing,reading and writing data as volatile memory, and a trapping layercomprising two storage locations for storing data as non-volatile memoryis provided, wherein the method includes: storing permanent data in oneof the two storage locations in the trapping layer, storing additionaldata to the floating body while power is applied to the memory cell;transferring the additional data stored in the floating body to theother of the two storage locations of the trapping layer when power tothe cell is interrupted; and storing the additional data in the other ofthe two storage locations of the trapping layer as non-volatile memory.

In at least one embodiment, the additional data stored in the floatingbody is stored as volatile memory.

In at least one embodiment, the method further includes transferring theadditional data stored in the other of the two storage locations of thetrapping layer to the floating body when power is restored to the cell;and storing the data in the floating body as volatile memory; whereinthe permanent data stored in the one of the two storage locations in thetrapping layer remains unchanged when power to the cell is interruptedand when power is restored to the cell.

In at least one embodiment, the additional data transferred is stored inthe other of the two storage locations of the trapping layer with acharge that is complementary to a charge of the floating body whenstoring the additional data.

In at least one embodiment, the transferring is a non-algorithmicprocess.

In at least one embodiment, the method is carried out on a plurality ofthe cells in a memory cell device, wherein the transferring is aparallel, non-algorithmic process.

In at least one embodiment, the method further includes restoring theother of the two storage locations of the trapping layer to apredetermined charge state, while leaving a state of the one of the twostorage locations of the trapping layer unchanged.

In at least one embodiment, the method includes writing a predeterminedstate to the floating body prior to the transferring the additional datastored in the other of the two storage locations of the trapping layerto the floating body.

These and other features of the invention will become apparent to thosepersons skilled in the art upon reading the details of the memory cells,devices and methods as more fully described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a memory cell of amemory device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a memorycell according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of array architectureof a memory cell device according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an operating condition for the write state “1”operation that can be carried out on a memory cell according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an operating condition for the write state “0”operation that can be carried out on a memory cell according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a read operation that can be carried out on a memorycell according to the present invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate shadowing operations according to the presentinvention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate restore operations according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 illustrates resetting at least one trapping layer to apredetermined state.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating the application of a memory cell,according to an embodiment of the present invention, as a multi-bitnon-volatile memory with fast read/write speed.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate a read operation of the non-volatile state of amemory cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating the application of an embodiment ofa memory cell device according to the present invention, wherein eachmemory cell is usable to store multiple bits of data, and wherein onebit of each cell has both volatile and non-volatile functionality, whileanother bit of each cell is useable to store non-volatile data.

FIG. 13 is a schematic, cross-sectional representation of anotherembodiment of a memory cell according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of array architectureof another embodiment of a memory cell according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a partial row of memory cellsassembled in a memory device according to the architecture shown in FIG.14.

FIG. 16A illustrates the binary states of each non-volatile storagelocation, relative to threshold voltage.

FIG. 16B illustrates the multi-level states of each non-volatile storagelocation, relative to threshold voltage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the present devices and methods are described, it is to beunderstood that this invention is not limited to particular embodimentsdescribed, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understoodthat the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, sincethe scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appendedclaims.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimits of that range is also specifically disclosed. Each smaller rangebetween any stated value or intervening value in a stated range and anyother stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassedwithin the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller rangesmay independently be included or excluded in the range, and each rangewhere either, neither or both limits are included in the smaller rangesis also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specificallyexcluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes oneor both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those includedlimits are also included in the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used inthe practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methodsand materials are now described. All publications mentioned herein areincorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methodsand/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “acell” includes a plurality of such cells and reference to “thetransistor” includes reference to one or more transistors andequivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

The publications discussed herein are provided solely for theirdisclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothingherein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention isnot entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention.Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from theactual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

Definitions

The terms “shadowing” “shadowing operation” and “shadowing process”refer to a process of copying the contents of volatile memory tonon-volatile memory.

“Restore”, “restore operation”, or “restore process”, as used herein,refers to a process of copying the contents of non-volatile memory tovolatile memory.

“Reset”, “reset operation”, or “reset process”, as used herein, refersto a process of setting non-volatile memory to a predetermined statefollowing a restore process, or when otherwise setting the non-volatilememory to an initial state (such as when powering up for the first time,prior to ever storing data in the non-volatile memory, for example).

“Permanent data” as used herein, is referred to data that typically willnot be changed during the operation of a system employing a memory celldevice as described herein, and thus can be stored indefinitely innon-volatile memory. Examples of such “permanent data” include, but arenot limited to program files, application files, music files, videofiles, operating systems, etc.

Devices and Methods

FIG. 1 is a flowchart 100 illustrating operation of a memory deviceaccording to the present invention. At event 102, when power is firstapplied to the memory device, the memory device is placed in an initialstate, in a volatile operational mode and the nonvolatile memory is setto a predetermined state, typically set to have a positive charge. Atevent 104, while power is still on, the memory device of the presentinvention operates in the same manner as a conventional DRAM (dynamicrandom access memory) memory cell, i.e., operating as volatile memory.However, during power shutdown, or when power is inadvertently lost, orany other event that discontinues or upsets power to the memory deviceof the present invention, the content of the volatile memory is loadedinto non-volatile memory at event 106, during a process which isreferred to here as “shadowing” (event 106), and the data held involatile memory is lost. Shadowing can also be performed during backupoperations, which may be performed at regular intervals during DRAMoperation 104 periods, and/or at any time that a user manually instructsa backup. During a backup operation, the content of the volatile memoryis copied to the non-volatile memory while power is maintained to thevolatile memory so that the content of the volatile memory also remainsin volatile memory. Alternatively, because the volatile memory operationconsumes more power than the non-volatile storage of the contents of thevolatile memory, the device can be configured to perform the shadowingprocess anytime the device has been idle for at least a predeterminedperiod of time, thereby transferring the contents of the volatile memoryinto non-volatile memory and conserving power. As one example, thepredetermined time period can be about thirty minutes, but of course,the invention is not limited to this time period, as the device could beprogrammed with virtually any predetermined time period.

After the content of the volatile memory has been moved during ashadowing operation to nonvolatile memory, the shutdown of the memorydevice occurs, as power is no longer supplied to the volatile memory. Atthis time, the memory device functions like a Flash EPROM (erasable,programmable read-only memory) device in that it retains the stored datain the nonvolatile memory. Upon restoring power at event 108, thecontent of the nonvolatile memory is restored by transferring thecontent of the non-volatile memory to the volatile memory in a processreferred to herein as the “restore” process, after which, upon resettingthe memory device at event 110, the memory device is again set to theinitial state 102 and again operates in a volatile mode, like a DRAMmemory device, event 104.

The present invention thus provides a memory device which combines thefast operation of volatile memories with the ability to retain chargethat is provided in nonvolatile memories. Further, the data transferfrom the volatile mode to the non-volatile mode and vice versa, operatein parallel by a non-algorithmic process described below, which greatlyenhances the speed of operation of the storage device. As onenon-limiting practical application of use of a memory device accordingto the present invention, a description of operation of the memorydevice in a personal computer follows. This example is in no wayintended to limit the applications in which the present invention may beused, as there are many applications, including, but not limited to:cell phones, laptop computers, desktop computers, kitchen appliances,land line phones, electronic gaming, video games, personal organizers,mp3 and other electronic forms of digital music players, and any otherapplications, too numerous to mention here, that use digital memory. Inuse, the volatile mode provides a fast access speed and is what is usedduring normal operations (i.e., when the power is on to the memorydevice). In an example of use in a personal computer (PC), when thepower to the PC is on (i.e., the PC is turned on), the memory deviceaccording to the present invention operates in volatile mode. When thePC is shut down (i.e., power is turned off), the memory content of thevolatile memory is shadowed to the non-volatile memory of the memorydevice according to the present invention. When the PC is turned onagain (power is turned on), the memory content is restored from thenon-volatile memory to the volatile memory. A reset process is thenconducted on the non-volatile memory so that its data does not interferewith the data having been transferred to the volatile memory.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a memory cell 50according to the present invention. The cell 50 includes a substrate 12of a first conductivity type, such as a p-type conductivity type, forexample. Substrate 12 is typically made of silicon, but may comprisegermanium, silicon germanium, gallium arsenide, carbon nanotubes, orother semiconductor materials known in the art. The substrate 12 has asurface 14. A first region 16 having a second conductivity type, such asn-type, for example, is provided in substrate 12 and which is exposed atsurface 14. A second region 18 having the second conductivity type isalso provided in substrate 12, which is exposed at surface 14 and whichis spaced apart from the first region 16. First and second regions 16and 18 are formed by an implantation process formed on the materialmaking up substrate 12, according to any of implantation processes knownand typically used in the art.

A buried layer 22 of the second conductivity type is also provided inthe substrate 12, buried in the substrate 12, as shown. Region 22 canalso be formed by an ion implantation process on the material ofsubstrate 12. A body region 24 of the substrate 12 is bounded by surface14, first and second regions 16,18 and insulating layers 26 (e.g.shallow trench isolation (STI)), which may be made of silicon oxide, forexample. Insulating layers 26 insulate cell 50 from neighboring cells 50when multiple cells 50 are joined to make a memory device. A trappinglayer 60 is positioned in between the regions 16 and 18, and above thesurface 14. Trapping layer 60 may be made of silicon nitride, siliconnanocrystal or high-K dielectric materials or other dielectricmaterials. Trapping layer 60 is an insulator layer and functions tostore non-volatile memory data. Trapping layer 60 may have twophysically separated storage locations 62 a, 62 b, so that each cell 50provides multi-bit, non-volatile storing functionality.

A control gate 64 is positioned above trapping layer 60 such thattrapping layer 60 is positioned between control gate 64 and surface 14,as shown in FIG. 2. Control gate 64 is typically made of polysiliconmaterial or metal gate electrode, such as tungsten, tantalum, titaniumand/or their nitrides. The trapping layer 60 functions to storenon-volatile memory data and the control gate 64 is used for memory cellselection (e.g., control gate 64 connected to word line 70 which can beused to selected rows).

Cell 50 includes four terminals: word line (WL) terminal 70, bit line(BL) terminals 72 and 74 and buried well (BW) terminal 76. Terminal 70is connected to control gate 64. Terminal 72 is connected to firstregion 16 and terminal 74 is connected to second region 18.Alternatively, terminal 72 can be connected to second region 18 andterminal 74 can be connected to first region 16. Terminal 76 isconnected to buried layer 22.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an array architecture 80 of a memory celldevice according to the present invention, wherein memory cells 50 arearranged in a plurality of rows and columns. Alternatively, a memorycell device according to the present invention may be provided in asingle row or column of a plurality of cells 50, but typically both aplurality of rows and a plurality of columns are provided. Memory cells50 are connected such that within each row, all of the control gates 64are connected in common word line terminals 70 (i.e., 70 a, 70 b . . . ,etc.). Within each column, all first and second regions 16, 18 of cells50 in that column are connected in common bit line terminals 72 (i.e.,72 a, 72 b . . . , etc.) and 74 (i.e., 74 a, 74 b . . . , etc.).

FIG. 4 illustrates alternative write state “1” operations that can becarried out on cell 50, by performing band-to-band tunneling hot holeinjection or, alternatively, impact ionization hot hole injection. Infurther alternative embodiments, electrons can be transferred, ratherthan holes by reversing every designated “p” and “n” region to “n” and“p” regions, respectively. As an example of performing a write state “1”into the floating body region 24 using a band-to-band tunnelingmechanism, a positive voltage is applied to BL2 terminal 74, a neutralor positive voltage less than the positive voltage applied to BL2terminal 74 is applied to BL1 terminal 72, a negative voltage is appliedto WL terminal 70 and a positive voltage less than the positive voltageapplied to the BL2 terminal 74 is applied to BW terminal 76. Under theseconditions, holes are injected from BL2 terminal 74 into the floatingbody region 24, leaving the body region 24 positively charged. Thepositive voltages applied to the BL1 and BL2 terminals 72, 74 createdepletion regions that shield the effects of any charges that are storedin trapping layer 60.

In one particular non-limiting embodiment, a charge of about +0.4 voltsis applied to terminal 72, a charge of about +2.0 volts is applied toterminal 74, a charge of about −1.2 volts is applied to terminal 70, anda charge of about +0.6 volts is applied to terminal 76. However, thesevoltage levels may vary, while maintaining the relative relationships(e.g., more positive than another terminal, less positive than anotherterminal, etc.) between the voltages applied, as described above. Forexample, voltage applied to terminal 72 may be in the range of about+0.1 volts to about +0.6 volts, voltage applied to terminal 74 may be inthe range of about +1.2 volts to about +3.0 volts, voltage applied toterminal 70 may be in the range of about 0.0 volts to about −3.0 volts,and voltage applied to terminal 76 may be in the range of about 0.0volts to about +1.0 volts. Further, the voltages applied to terminals 72and 74 may be reversed, and still obtain the same storage result of onevolatile bit of data stored.

Alternatively, to write a state “1” using the impact ionization hot holeinjection mechanism, a positive voltage is applied to BL2 terminal 74, aneutral or positive voltage less than the positive voltage applied toterminal 74 is applied to BL1 terminal 72, a positive voltage is appliedto WL terminal 70 and a positive voltage less than the positive voltageapplied to terminal 74 is applied to BW terminal 76. Under theseconditions, holes are injected from BL2 terminal 74 into the floatingbody region 24, leaving the body region 24 positively charged. Thepositive voltages applied to terminals 72 and 74 create depletionregions that shield the effects of any charges that are stored intrapping layer 60. Voltage on terminal 74 is more positive (i.e., higherpositive voltage) than that on terminal 72. This condition results inimpact ionization, creating holes injected into the substrate.

In one particular non-limiting embodiment, a charge of about +0.4 voltsis applied to terminal 72, a charge of about +2.0 volts is applied toterminal 74, a charge of about +1.2 volts is applied to terminal 70, anda charge of about +0.6 volts is applied to terminal 76. However, thesevoltage levels may vary, while maintaining the relative relationshipsbetween the voltages applied, as described above. For example, voltageapplied to terminal 72 may be in the range of about +0.1 volts to about+0.6 volts, voltage applied to terminal 74 may be in the range of about+1.2 volts to about +3.0 volts, voltage applied to terminal 70 may be inthe range of about 0.0 volts to about +1.6 volts, and voltage applied toterminal 76 may be in the range of about 0.0 volts to about +1.0 volts.Further, the voltages applied to terminals 72 and 74 may be reversed,and still obtain the same result.

FIG. 5 illustrates a write state “0” operation that can be carried outon cell 50. To write a state “0” into floating body region 24, anegative voltage is applied to BL1 terminal 72, a substantially neutralor a negative voltage equal to the negative voltage applied to BL1terminal 72 is applied to BL2 terminal 74, a negative voltage lessnegative than the negative voltage applied to terminal 72 is applied toWL terminal 70 and a positive voltage is applied to BW terminal 76.Under these conditions, the p-n junction (junction between 24 and 16 andbetween 24 and 18) is forward-biased, evacuating any holes from thefloating body 24. In one particular non-limiting embodiment, about −2.0volts is applied to terminal 72, about −2.0 volts is applied to terminal74, about −1.2 volts is applied to terminal 70, and about +0.6 volts isapplied to terminal 76. However, these voltage levels may vary, whilemaintaining the relative relationships between the voltages applied, asdescribed above. For example, voltage applied to terminal 72 may be inthe range of about −1.0 volts to about −3.0 volts, voltage applied toterminal 74 may be in the range of about 0.0 volts to about −3.0 volts,voltage applied to terminal 70 may be in the range of about 0.0 volts toabout −3.0 volts, and voltage applied to terminal 76 may be in the rangeof about 0.0 volts to about +1.0 volts.

A read operation of the cell 50 is now described with reference to FIG.6. To read cell 50, a substantially neutral charge is applied to BL1terminal 72, a positive voltage is applied to BL2 terminal 74, apositive voltage that is more positive than the positive voltage appliedto terminal 74 is applied to WL terminal 70 and a positive voltage thatis less than the positive voltage applied to terminal 70 is applied toBW terminal 76. If cell 50 is in a state “1” having holes in the bodyregion 24, then a lower threshold voltage (gate voltage where thetransistor is turned on) is observed compared to the threshold voltageobserved when cell 50 is in a state “0” having no holes in body region24. In one particular non-limiting embodiment, about 0.0 volts isapplied to terminal 72, about +0.4 volts is applied to terminal 74,about +1.2 volts is applied to terminal 70, and about +0.6 volts isapplied to terminal 76. However, these voltage levels may vary, whilemaintaining the relative relationships between the voltages applied, asdescribed above. For example, terminal 72 is grounded and is thus atabout 0.0 volts, voltage applied to terminal 74 may be in the range ofabout +0.1 volts to about +1.0 volts, voltage applied to terminal 70 maybe in the range of about +1.0 volts to about +3.0 volts, and voltageapplied to terminal 76 may be in the range of about 0.0 volts to about+1.0 volts.

When power down is detected, e.g., when a user turns off the power tocell 50, or the power is inadvertently interrupted, or for any otherreason, power is at least temporarily discontinued to cell 50, or due toany specific commands by the user such as during a backup operation,data stored in the floating body region 24 is transferred to trappinglayer 60 through a hot electron injection mechanism. This operation isreferred to as “shadowing” and is described with reference to FIG. 7.The shadowing process can be performed to store data in the floatingbody region 24 to either storage location 62 a or storage location 62 b.To perform a shadowing operation to the storage location 62 a, a highpositive voltage is applied to BL1 terminal 72 and a neutral or positivevoltage less positive than the positive voltage applied to terminal 72is applied to BL2 terminal 74. A positive voltage is applied to terminal70 and a positive voltage lower than that applied to terminal 70 isapplied to terminal 76. Reference to a “high positive voltage” in thisinstance means a voltage greater than or equal to about +3 volts. In oneexample, a voltage in the range of about +3 to about +6 volts is appliedas a “high positive voltage”, although it is possible to apply a highervoltage. When floating body 24 has a positive charge/voltage, the NPNbipolar junction formed by source drain application of the high voltageto terminal 72 energizes/accelerates electrons traveling through thefloating body 24 to a sufficient extent where they can “jump into”storage location 62 a, see FIG. 7A. Accordingly, the storage location 62a in the trapping layer 60 becomes negatively charged by the shadowingprocess, when the volatile memory of cell 50 is in state “1” (i.e.,floating body 24 is positively charged), as shown in FIG. 7A.

In one particular non-limiting embodiment, a voltage of about +6.0 voltsis applied to terminal 72, a voltage of about +0.4 volts is applied toterminal 74, a voltage of about +1.2 volts is applied to terminal 70,and a voltage of about +0.6 volts is applied to terminal 76. However,these voltage levels may vary, while maintaining the relativerelationships between the voltages applied, as described above. Forexample, voltage applied to terminal 72 may be in the range of about+3.0 volts to about +6.0 volts, voltage applied to terminal 74 may be inthe range of about 0.0 volts to about +1.0 volts, voltage applied toterminal 70 may be in the range of about +0.8 volts to about +2.0 volts,and voltage applied to terminal 76 may be in the range of about 0.0volts to about +1.0 volts.

When the volatile memory of cell 50 is in state “0”, i.e., when floatingbody 24 has a negative or neutral charge/voltage, the n-p-n junction isoff and electrons do not flow in the floating body 24, as illustrated inFIG. 7B. Accordingly, when voltages are applied to the terminals asdescribed above, in order to perform the shadowing process, the highpositive voltage applied to terminal 72 does not cause an accelerationof electrons in order to cause hot electron injection into trappinglayer 60, since electrons are not flowing in this instance. Accordingly,no charge injection occurs to the trapping layer 60 and it retains itscharge at the end of the shadowing process, when the volatile memory ofcell 50 is in state “0” (i.e., floating body 24 is neutral or negativelycharged), as shown in FIG. 7B. As will be described in the descriptionof the reset operation, the storage locations 62 a, 62 b in trappinglayer 60 are initialized or reset to have a positive charge. As aresult, if the volatile memory of cell 50 is in state “0”, the storagelocation 62 a will have a positive charge at the end of the shadowingprocess.

It is noted that the charge state of the storage location 62 a iscomplementary to the charge state of the floating body 24 aftercompletion of the shadowing process. Thus, if the floating body 24 ofthe memory cell 50 has a positive charge in volatile memory, thetrapping layer 60 will become more negatively charged by the shadowingprocess, whereas if the floating body of the memory cell 50 has anegative or neutral charge in volatile memory, the storage location 62 awill be positively charge at the end of the shadowing operation.

The charge/state of the storage location 62 a near BL1 terminal 72 isdetermined non-algorithmically by the state of the floating body 24.That is, since the state of the floating body does not have to be read,interpreted, or otherwise measured to determine what state to makestorage location 62 a of trapping layer 60 during shadowing, but rather,the shadowing process occurs automatically, driven by electricalpotential differences, the shadowing process is very fast. Further, whenshadowing of multiple cells 50 is performed, the process is performed inparallel, thereby maintaining a very fast process speed.

A shadowing operation to storage location 62 b near BL2 terminal 74 canbe independently performed, in a similar manner to that described forperforming a shadowing operation to storage location 62 a. The shadowingoperation to storage location 62 b can be performed by reversing thevoltages applied to terminals 72 and 74 for the shadowing operation tostorage location 62 a.

When power is restored to cell 50, the state of the cell 50 as stored ontrapping layer 60 is restored into floating body region 24. The restoreoperation (data restoration from non-volatile memory to volatile memory)is described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. Prior to the restoreoperation/process, the floating body 24 is set to a neutral or negativecharge, i.e., a “0” state is written to floating body 24.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8A-8B, to perform the restore operation ofnon-volatile data stored in storage location 62 a, terminal 72 is set toa substantially neutral voltage, a positive voltage is applied toterminal 74, a negative voltage, or up to a slightly positive voltage,is applied to terminal 70 and a positive voltage that is less positivethat the positive voltage applied to terminal 74 is applied to terminal76. The positive voltage that is applied to terminal 74 creates adepletion region, shielding the effects of charge stored in storagelocation 62 b. If the storage location 62 a is negatively charged, asillustrated in FIG. 8A, this negative charge enhances the driving forcefor the band-to-band hot hole injection process, whereby holes areinjected from the n-region 18 into floating body 24, thereby restoringthe “1” state that the volatile memory cell 50 had held prior to theperformance of the shadowing operation. Alternatively, if the storagelocation 62 a of trapping layer 60 is not negatively charged, such aswhen the storage location 62 a is positively charged as shown in FIG. 8Bor is neutral, the hot band-to-band hole injection process does notoccur, as illustrated in FIG. 88B, resulting in memory cell 50 having a“0” state, just as it did prior to performance of the shadowing process.Accordingly if storage location 62 a has a positive charge aftershadowing is performed, the volatile memory of floating body 24 will berestored to have a negative charge (“0” state), but if the storagelocation 62 a has a negative or neutral charge, the volatile memory offloating body 24 will be restored to have a positive charge (“1” state).

In one particular non-limiting embodiment, a voltage of about 0.0 voltsis applied to terminal 72, a voltage of about +2.0 volts is applied toterminal 74, a voltage of about −0.5 volts is applied to terminal 70,and a voltage of about +0.6 volts is applied to terminal 76. However,these voltage levels may vary, while maintaining the relativerelationships between the voltages applied, as described above. Forexample, terminal 72 is grounded and is thus at about 0.0 volts, voltageapplied to terminal 74 may be in the range of about +1.2 volts to about+3.0 volts, voltage applied to terminal 70 may be in the range of about−1.0 volts to about +1.0 volts, and voltage applied to terminal 76 maybe in the range of about 0.0 volts to about +1.0 volts.

A restore operation of the non-volatile data stored in storage location62 b can be performed, in a similar manner to that described above forperforming a restore operation of the non-volatile data stored instorage location 62 a, by reversing the voltages applied to terminals 72and 74 for the restore operation from storage location 62 a.

After the restore operation has been completed, the state of the storagelocations 62 a, 62 b of trapping layer 60 can be reset to an initialstate. The reset operation of non-volatile storage location 62 a isdescribed with reference to FIG. 9. A high negative voltage is appliedto terminal 70, a neutral or positive voltage is applied to terminal 72,a positive voltage is applied to terminal 76 and terminal 74 is leftfloating. Under these conditions, electrons tunnel from storage location62 a to the n⁺ junction region 16. As a result, the storage location 62a becomes positively charged.

In one particular non-limiting example of a reset process according tothis embodiment, about −18 volts are applied to terminal 70, about 0.0volts are applied to terminal 72, about +0.6 volts are applied toterminal 76, and terminal 74 is left floating. However, these voltagelevels may vary, while maintaining the relative relationships betweenthe voltages applied, as described above. For example, voltage appliedto terminal 70 may be in the range of about −12.0 volts to about −20.0volts, voltage applied to terminal 72 may be I the range of about 0.0volts to about +3.0 volts, and voltage applied to terminal 76 may be inthe range of about 0.0 volts to about +1.0 volts.

A reset operation of the non-volatile storage location 62 b can beindependently performed, in a similar manner to that described above forperforming a reset operation of the non-volatile storage location 62 a,by applying the voltages applied to terminal 72 for the reset operationof storage location 62 a, to terminal 74 for the reset operation ofstorage location 62 b and by letting terminal 72 float.

A reset operation can be performed simultaneously to both storagelocations 62 a and 62 b by applying a high negative voltage to terminal70, applying equal neutral or positive voltages to terminals 72 and 74,and by applying a voltage of about +0.6 volts to terminal 76. Thesevoltage levels may vary, as long as maintenance of the relativerelationships between the voltages applied are maintained as describedabove. For example, voltage applied to terminal 70 may be a voltage inthe range of from about −12.0 volts to about −20.0 volts, voltageapplied to both terminals 72 and 74 may be in the range of about 0.0volts to about +3.0 volts, and voltage applied to terminal 76 may be inthe range of about 0.0 volts to about +1.0 volts.

From the above description, it can be seen that the present inventionprovides a semiconductor memory cell having volatile and multi-bit,non-volatile functionality, as well as devices comprising a plurality ofthese cells.

According to one embodiment, the present invention can be used asnon-volatile memory with fast read/write speed, using the volatilememory as a write buffer. FIG. 10 is a flow chart describing operationsthat are performed when using the present invention as non-volatilememory with fast read/write speed. At event 1002, when a non-volatilewrite is to be performed, the memory device is placed in an initialstate by setting the non-volatile memory to a predetermined state.Depending on the non-volatile data to be written, both non-volatilestorage locations of a cell can be reset, or only one of the two storagelocations 62 a or 62 b can be reset at event 1012. At event 1004, thedata is first written to the floating body region 24. Data is written tothe floating body region 24 using write “1” and write “0” operationsdescribed above (e.g., see FIGS. 4 and 5 and the descriptions thereof).

After the volatile write operations has been completed for a segment ofthe memory array/memory device (for example, row 1 (R1) in FIG. 3), thecontent of the volatile data is then shadowed to the first non-volatilestorage location (either storage location 62 a or 62 b) at shadowingevent 1006. The data is written from the floating body region 24 to thenon-volatile state (storage location 62 a or 62 b) in a mass parallel,non-algorithmic manner, using the shadowing operation described above,such that shadowing occurs in all cell of the segment simultaneously.Simultaneous to the shadowing event 1006, more data can be written tothe floating body regions 24 of the memory cells 50 at other locationsof the memory array (for example, row R2 in this case)

Thus, this embodiment can be used to improve the writing speed of anon-volatile memory device. By using the floating body regions 24 of thecells 50 as a buffer in this manner, this greatly increases the speed ofstoring nonvolatile memory (i.e., writing).

For example, the writing speed of data to a prior art flash memorydevice that does not include the volatile memory buffer of the presentinvention takes about 10 μsec (micro-seconds) to write a bit of data ata first location before moving on to store the next bit of data at thenext cell. With the present invention, writing to volatile memory (i.e.,the floating body 24) of cell 50 takes about 10 nsec (nano-seconds).Accordingly this process is three orders of magnitude faster than theconventional non-volatile flash memory, and data can be written to thefloating bodies of many cells 50 as a buffer storage area while thewriting from volatile to non-volatile memory proceeds in a massparallel, non algorithmic manner.

Once the volatile data for a segment of the memory array (for example,an entire row of cells 50, or some other segment) have been shadowed tothe non-volatile storage locations (either in storage location 62 a orstorage location 62 b of the cells 50 in the segment, respectively),processing continues for non-volatile storage of data in the otherstorage location (62 a or 62 b) of each cell. Thus, after data has beenwritten from floating body 24 to the first storage location (62 a or 62b), for example, in the last column C8 in FIG. 3, and the volatile datain the floating body 24 at first column C1 has been shadowed to thefirst or second storage location (62 a or 62 b) of trapping layer 60,data can then be written to volatile storage in floating body 24 in C1for subsequent writing to non-volatile storage in the other storagelocation (62 a or 62 b). The volatile data is written to the volatilestorage in floating body region 24 of the memory cells 50 that havecompleted the shadowing operation at event 1006 (for example, referringto FIG. 3, from column 1 (C1) in row 1 (R1)). In the same manner, afterthe volatile data has been written to the floating body region 24, ashadowing operation to the second storage location (62 a or 62 b) can beperformed at event 1010.

Data written to the non-volatile storage can be read as described below,with reference to FIGS. 11A-1B. To read the data in storage location 62a, a substantially neutral or relatively low positive voltage is appliedto BL1 terminal 72, a positive voltage higher than the voltage appliedto terminal 72 is applied to BL2 terminal 74, a positive voltage that ismore positive than the positive voltage applied to terminal 74 isapplied to WL terminal 70 and a positive voltage that is less than thepositive voltage applied to terminal 70 is applied to BW terminal 76.The positive voltage applied to BL2 terminal 74 creates a depletionregion that shields the effects of charges stored in storage location 62b. If storage location 62 a is positively charged, i.e., in a state “1”(FIG. 11A), then a lower threshold voltage is observed compared to thethreshold voltage observed when cell 50 (i.e., charge on storagelocation 62 a) is negatively charged, i.e., in a state “0”.

In one particular non-limiting example of a read operation ofnon-volatile data in storage location 62 a, about 0.0 volts are appliedto terminal 72, about +0.4 volts are applied to terminal 74, about +1.2volts are applied to terminal 70, and about +0.6 volts are applied toterminal 76. However, these voltage levels may vary, while maintainingthe relative relationships between the voltages applied, as describedabove. For example, terminal 72 is grounded and is thus at about 0.0volts, voltage applied to terminal 74 may be in the range of about +0.1volts to about +1.0 volts, voltage applied to terminal 70 may be in therange of about +1.0 volts to about +3.0 volts, and voltage applied toterminal 76 may be in the range of about 0.0 volts to about +1.0 volts.

A read operation of non-volatile data in the storage location 62 b canbe independently performed, in a similar manner to that described abovefor performing a read operation of non-volatile data in the storagelocation 62 a, by reversing the voltages applied to terminals 72 and 74.

In an alternative use, a memory device according to the presentinvention can be used to store multiple bits of data in each memory cell50, wherein one bit of the cell 50 provides both volatile andnon-volatile functionality and the other bit of the cell 50 is use tostore non-volatile data as “permanent data”, which is data that does notchange in value during routine use. For example, the non-volatilestorage bits can be used to store applications, programs, etc. and/ordata that is not frequently modified, such as an operating system image,multimedia files, etc. The bits having both volatile and non-volatilefunctionality can be used to store state variable, etc. that can bestored in the absence of power. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating anexample of this type of use.

After initializing or resetting the memory at event 1202, thenon-volatile bit of the memory cell (i.e., storage location 62 a orstorage location 62 b, whichever is being used for the non-volatile bit)is written in the same manner as described above, by first writing thevolatile state (i.e., writing “1” or “0” to floating body 24) followedby a mass parallel, non-algorithmic shadowing operation to one of thestorage locations of the respective cells 50 (e.g., storage location 62a or 62 b), see event 1204.

Subsequently, the floating body 24 is used to store volatile stateinformation at event 1206. When power down is detected, e.g., wherein auser turns off the power to cell/cells 50, or the power is inadvertentlyinterrupted, or for any other reason, power is at least discontinued tocell 50, or due to any specific commands by the user such as during abackup operation, or when non-volatile data stored in storage location62 a (or 62 b, depending upon which storage location is being used asthe non-volatile bit), data stored in the floating body region 24 istransferred (event 1208) to storage location 62 b (when storage location62 a is used as the non-volatile bit) through a hot electron injectionmechanism described above. When power is restored to the cell 50, thestate of the cell 50 as stored on trapping layer 60 (in storage location62 b, for this example) is restored into floating body region 24 atevent 1210, by a restore operation already previously described above,and then the state of storage location 62 b is reset at event 1212.

FIG. 13 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a memory cell150 according to the present invention. Cell 150 includes a substrate112 of a first conductivity type, such as a p-type conductivity type,for example. Substrate 112 is typically made of silicon, but maycomprise germanium, silicon germanium, gallium arsenide, carbonnanotubes, or other semiconductor materials known in the art. Thesubstrate 112 has a surface 114. A first region 116 having a secondconductivity type, such as n-type, for example, is provided in substrate112 and which is exposed at surface 114. A second region 118 having thesecond conductivity type is also provided in substrate 112, which isexposed at surface 114 and which is spaced apart from the first region116. First and second regions 116 and 118 are formed by an implantationprocess formed on the material making up substrate 112, according to anyof implantation processes known and typically used in the art.

A buried layer 122, such as buried oxide (BOX) is also provided in thesubstrate 112, buried in the substrate, 112 as shown. A body region 124of the substrate 112 is completely bounded by surface 114, first andsecond regions 116,118 and the buried insulating layer 122. A trappinglayer 160 is positioned in between the regions 116 and 118, and abovethe surface 114. Trapping layer 160 may be made of silicon nitride,silicon nanocrystal or high-K dielectric materials or other dielectricmaterials. Trapping layer 160 is an insulator layer and functions tostore non-volatile memory data. Trapping layer 160 may have twophysically separated storage locations 162 a, 162 b, so that each cell150 provides multi-bit, non-volatile storing functionality.

A control gate 164 is positioned above trapping layer 160 such thattrapping layer 160 is positioned between control gate 164 and surface114, as shown in FIG. 13. Control gate 164 is typically made ofpolysilicon material or metal gate electrode, such as tungsten,tantalum, titanium and/or their nitrides. The relationship between thetrapping layer 160 and control gate 164 is similar to that of a trappedcharge-based nonvolatile memory cell. The trapping layer 160 functionsto store non-volatile memory data and the control gate 164 is used formemory cell selection (for example, to select rows in a memory cellarray/device).

Cell 150 includes four terminals: word line (WL) terminal 170, bit line(BL1 and BL2) terminals 172 and 174 and substrate terminal 176. Terminal170 is connected to control gate 164. Terminal 172 is connected to firstregion 116 and terminal 174 is connected to second region 118.Alternatively, terminal 172 can be connected to second region 118 andterminal 174 can be connected to first region 116. Terminal 176 isconnected to the substrate 112.

FIG. 14 shows an example of an array architecture 180 of a memory celldevice according to the present invention, wherein memory cells 150 arearranged in a plurality of rows and columns. Alternatively, a memorycell device according to the present invention may be provided in asingle row or column of a plurality of cells 150, but typically both aplurality of rows and a plurality of columns are provided. Memory cells150 are connected such that within each row, all of the control gates164 are connected in a common word line terminal 70 (i.e., 70 a, 70 b .. . , etc., depending on which row is being described). Within eachcolumn, all first and second regions 116, 118 of cells 150 in thatcolumn are connected in common bit line terminals 172 (i.e., 172 a, 172b . . . , etc.) and 174 (i.e., 174 a, 174 b . . . , etc.).

Because each cell 150 is provided with a buried insulator layer 122that, together with regions 116 and 118, bound the lower and sideboundaries of floating body 124, insulating layers 26 are not requiredto bound the sides of the floating body 24 like in the embodiment ofFIG. 2. Because insulating layers 26 are not required by cells 150, lessterminals are required for operation of the memory cells 150 in an arrayof such cells assembled into a memory cell device. FIG. 15 illustratesan example of a partial row of memory cells 150 assembled in a memorydevice according to the architecture shown in FIG. 14. Because theadjacent cells 150 are not isolated by insulating layer 26, adjacentregions 116, 118 are also not isolated by insulating layer 26.Accordingly, a single terminal 172 or 174 can be used to function asterminal 174 for region 118 of one a pair of adjacent cells 150, and, byreversing the polarity thereof, can also be used to function as terminal172 for region 116 of the other cell of the pair, where region 118 ofthe first cell contacts region 116 of the second cell 150. For example,in FIG. 15, terminal 174 a can be operated to function as terminal 174for region 118 of cell 150 a and, by reversing the polarity of thevoltage applied to terminal 174 a, terminal 174 a can be operated tofunction as terminal 172 for region 116 of cell 150 b. By reducing thenumber of terminals required in a memory cell device in this way, thepresent invention can be manufactured to have a smaller volume, relativeto a memory cell device of the same capacity that requires a pair ofterminals 172, 174 for each cell that are separate from the terminals172, 174 of the adjacent cells in the row.

Up until this point, the description of cells 50 and 150 have been inregard to binary cells, in which the data memories, both volatile andnon-volatile, are binary, meaning that they either store state “1” orstate “0”. FIG. 16A illustrates the states of a binary cell, relative tothreshold voltage, wherein a threshold voltage less than or equal to apredetermined voltage (in one example, the predetermined voltage is 0volts, but the predetermined voltage may be a higher or lower voltage)in memory cell 50 or 150 is interpreted as state “1”, and a voltagegreater than the predetermined voltage in memory cell 50 or 150 isinterpreted as state “0”. However, in an alternative embodiment, thememory cells described herein can be configured to function asmulti-level cells, so that more than one bit of data can be stored ineach cell 50,150. FIG. 16B illustrates an example of voltage states of amulti-level cell wherein two bits of data can be stored in each storagelocation 62 a, 62 b, 162 a, 162 b. In this case, a threshold voltageless than or equal to a first predetermined voltage (e.g., 0 volts orsome other predetermined voltage) and greater than a secondpredetermined voltage that is less than the first predetermined voltage(e.g., about −0.5 volts or some other voltage less than the firstpredetermined voltage) in memory cell 50,150 is interpreted as state“10”, a voltage less than or equal to the second predetermined voltageis interpreted as state “11”, a voltage greater than the firstpredetermined voltage and less than or equal to a third predeterminedvoltage that is greater than the first predetermined voltage (e.g.,about +0.5 volts or some other predetermined voltage that is greaterthan the first predetermined voltage) is interpreted to be state “01”and a voltage greater than the third predetermined voltage isinterpreted as state “00”. Each of the non-volatile storage locations(e.g. storage locations 62 aand 62 b, or 162 aand 162 b) can storemulti-bit data, hence further increase the number of bits stored on eachmemory cells 50 and 150. Further details about multi-level operation canbe found in co-pending, commonly owned Application Ser. No. 11/998,311filed Nov. 29, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,760,548. Application Ser. No.11/998,311 is hereby incorporated herein, in its entirety, by referencethereto.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that with the present invention, asemiconductor memory having volatile and multi-bit, non-volatilefunctionality is achieved. While the present invention has beendescribed with reference to the specific embodiments thereof, and enableone of ordinary skill in the art to make and use what is consideredpresently to be the best mode thereof, it should be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made andequivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spiritand scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be madeto adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter,process, process step or steps, to the objective, spirit and scope ofthe present invention. All such modifications are intended to be withinthe scope of the claims appended hereto.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor memory cell comprising: asubstrate having a first conductivity type; a first region embedded inthe substrate at a first location of the substrate and having a secondconductivity type; a second region embedded in the substrate at a secondlocation of the substrate and having the second conductivity type, suchthat at least a portion of the substrate having the first conductivitytype is located between the first and second locations and functions asa floating body to store data as volatile memory; a trapping layerpositioned in between the first and second locations and above a surfaceof the substrate, the trapping layer comprising first and second storagelocations configured to store data as nonvolatile memory independentlyof one another; and wherein said floating body is configured to becharged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell based oncharge stored in said one of said first and second storage locations insaid trapping layer, upon restoration of power to said memory cell sothat said memory cell provides both volatile and non-volatile memoryfunctionality, and the other of said first and second storage locationsis configured to store non-volatile data that is not used as volatilememory by said floating body.
 2. The semiconductor memory cell of claim1, wherein said memory cell functions as volatile memory upon saidrestoration of power to said memory cell.
 3. The semiconductor memorycell of claim 1, wherein said floating body is configured to apredetermined state prior to being charged based on charge stored insaid one of said first and second storage locations in said trappinglayer.
 4. The semiconductor memory cell of claim 1, further comprising acontrol gate positioned above said trapping layer.
 5. The semiconductormemory cell of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor memory cell functionsas a binary cell.
 6. The semiconductor memory cell of claim 1, whereinthe semiconductor memory cell functions as a multi-level cell.
 7. Asemiconductor memory cell comprising: a substrate having a firstconductivity type; a first region embedded in the substrate at a firstlocation of the substrate and having a second conductivity type; asecond region embedded in the substrate at a second location of thesubstrate and have the second conductivity type, such that at least aportion of the substrate having the first conductivity type is locatedbetween the first and second locations and functions as a floating bodyto store data as volatile memory; a trapping layer positioned in betweenthe first and second locations and above a surface of the substrate, thetrapping layer comprising first and second storage locations configuredto store data as nonvolatile memory independently of one another; andwherein charge flow into said floating body upon restoration of power tosaid memory cell depends on charge stored in said one of said first andsecond storage locations in said trapping layer so that said memory cellprovides both volatile and non-volatile memory functionality, and theother of said first and second storage locations is configured to storenon-volatile data that is not used as volatile memory by said floatingbody.
 8. The semiconductor memory cell of claim 7, wherein said memorycell functions as volatile memory upon said restoration of power to saidmemory cell.
 9. The semiconductor memory cell of claim 7, wherein saidfloating body is configured to a predetermined state prior to beingcharged based on charge stored in said one of said first and secondstorage locations in said trapping layer.
 10. The semiconductor memorycell of claim 7, further comprising a control gate positioned above saidtrapping layer.
 11. The semiconductor memory cell of claim 7, whereinthe semiconductor memory cell functions as a binary cell.
 12. Thesemiconductor memory cell of claim 7, wherein the semiconductor memorycell functions as a multi-level cell.
 13. A memory array comprising aplurality of rows and columns of semiconductor memory cells, a pluralityof said cells each comprising: a floating body region to store charge asvolatile memory; first and second regions; a trapping layer positionedin between the first and second locations and above a surface of thefloating body region; the trapping layer comprising first and secondstorage locations being configured to store charge as nonvolatile memoryindependently of one another; wherein said floating body region isconfigured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memorycell based on charge stored in said one of said first and second storagelocations in said trapping layer, upon restoration of power to saidmemory cell so that said memory cell provides both volatile andnon-volatile memory functionality, and the other of said first andsecond storage locations is configured to store non-volatile data thatis not used as volatile memory by said floating body.
 14. Thesemiconductor memory array of claim 13, wherein said memory cellfunctions as volatile memory upon said restoration of power to saidmemory cell.
 15. The semiconductor memory array of claim 13, whereinsaid floating body is configured to a predetermined state prior to beingcharged based on charge stored in said one of said first and secondstorage locations in said trapping layer.
 16. The semiconductor memoryarray of claim 13, wherein said cells further comprise control gatespositioned above said trapping layers, respectively.
 17. Thesemiconductor memory array of claim 13, wherein the semiconductor memoryarray functions as a binary cell memory array.
 18. The semiconductormemory array of claim 13, wherein the semiconductor memory arrayfunctions as a multi-level cell memory array.